Friday, May 14, 2010

From Daily Kos

Fri May 14, 2010 at 12:50:04 PM PDT

Aside from the fact that it is the world's biggest offshore drilling contractor and was the operator of the Deepwater Horizon rig that exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, here are three things worth knowing about Transocean:

In 1999, Transocean moved overseas, leaving its headquarters in Delaware to incorporate in Switzerland (which is bordered on all sides by land) to dodge U.S. taxes. As a result of its move, the company reduced its tax burden by 50%.

Just yesterday, Transocean cited an 1851 law in a court filing requesting that its liability be limited to $27 million. Transocean claims the law in question limits the total liability of maritime operators to the cost of the vessel that sunk. It has already collected hundreds of millions in insurance.

Deepwater Horizon was one of 35 Transocean rigs sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, known to have weaker safety standards than other nations.

Taken together, you have to ask this question: why in the world should we let Transocean continue to operate in our national waters?

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The progress of social justice is slow and measured. Its growth depends on an increasing number of us becoming aware of the truth and consequences of our actions.

I believe that it is morally wrong to allow our wanton desires to interfere with the basic needs and interests of other sentient beings.

I believe the physical and psychological abuse – confinement, social deprivation, mutilation, genetic and reproductive manipulation, and profit exploitation – imposed by us on other animals is morally wrong.

I believe the suggestion that the exploitation of other sentient beings by humans can be achieved without cruelty, violence, or injustice is false and misleading.

As an advocate for all life, committed to compassion and justice, I refuse to take part in the exploitation of other sentient beings or to collaborate with those caught up in such injustice.

I pledge to do my best to live a life that conveys a clear, sincere and uncompromised message that is free of resentment, fear, exploitation, anger, cynicism, and manipulation.

Furthermore, I pledge to continue to support a broad range of nonviolent initiatives and programs that will hopefully one day eliminate the needless pain and suffering we inflict upon all the many wonderful creatures with whom we share this planet.